The immorality of our age, also, often procured her popularity for what deserved, and in better times would have encountered, the severest reprobation.  In 1797, an emigrant lodged at an inn at Hamburg where another traveller was robbed of a large sum in ready money and jewels.  The unfortunate is always suspected; and in the visit made to his room by the magistrates was found a key that opened the door of the apartment where the theft had been committed.  In vain did he represent that had he been the thief he should not have kept an instrument which was, or might be, construed into an argument of guilt; he was carried to prison, and, though none of the property was discovered in his possession, would have been condemned, had he not produced Madame Chevalier, who avowed that the key opened the door of her bedroom, which the smith who had made it confirmed, and swore that he had fabricated eight keys for the same actress and for the same purpose.

At that time this woman lived in the same house with her husband, but cohabited there with the husband of another woman.  She had also places of assignation with other gallants at private apartments, both in Hamburg and at Altona.  All these, her scandalous intrigues, were known even to the common porters of these cities.  The first time, after the affair of the key had become public, she acted in a play where a key was mentioned, and the audience immediately repeated, “The key! the key!” Far from being ashamed, she appeared every night in pieces selected by her, where there was mention of keys, and thus tired the jokes of the public.  This impudence might have been expected from her, but it was little to be supposed that her barefaced vices should, as really was the case, augment the crowd of suitors, and occasion even some duels, which latter she both encouraged and rewarded.

Two brothers, of the name of De S-----, were both in love with her, and
the eldest, as the richest, became her choice.   Offended at his refusal
of too large a sum of money, she wrote to the younger De S-----, and
offered to accede to his proposals if, like a gentleman, he would avenge
the affront she had experienced from his brother.   He consulted a friend,
who, to expose her infamy, advised him to send some confidential person
to inform her that he had killed his elder brother, and expected the
recompense on the same night.   He went and was received with open arms,
and had just retired with her, when the elder brother, accompanied by his
friend, entered the room.   Madame Chevalier, instead of upbraiding,
laughed, and the next day the public laughed with her, and applauded her
more than ever.   She knew very well what she was doing.   The stories of
the key and the duel produced for her more than four thousand louis d’or
by the number of new gallants they enticed.   It was a kind of emulation
among all young men in the North who should be foremost to dishonour and
ruin himself with this infamous woman.